Letters to the Editor

Friday, 16 September 2011

Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty he's free at last

Blogger Charles LeBlanc released from jail

Blogger Charles LeBlanc emerges from the Fredericton court house after being arrested and jailed on Wednesday. (Photo: Cheryl Norrad)

Blogger Charles LeBlanc was in court in Fredericton this morning for a plea on the charge of disturbing the peace after his arrest by Fredericton City Police on Wednesday, and subsequent 48 hours in jail at the Saint John Regional Correctional Center. In response to Judge Denis Lordon, LeBlanc pleaded not guilty to a charge under section 175 of the Criminal Code of causing a disturbance and released on an undertaking promising to keep the peace and be of good behaviour, appear in court on the charge when next required and to refrain from using any voice enhancing device causing excessive noise in the Fredericton area. LeBlanc will return to court on October 28 at 1:30 pm for trial.

At the time of his arrest, LeBlanc had already been protesting for a few weeks on what he perceived as unfair treatment by Fredericton City Police. He used a bullhorn on the sidewalk in front of the station to loudly profess his frustration at being issued fines for minor by-law infractions when others breaking the same laws had not been. LeBlanc felt a victim of discrimination by police and the target of public officials with whom he's had ongoing disputes the past few years.

Looking tired and disheveled, LeBlanc told media assembled after his release that he'd had no sleep since being jailed and was denied medication by medical staff in the Saint John facility. He said he signed the papers agreeing to the undertaking in order to leave jail because without his medication over a long period, he said, "I would be dead."

Leaving the grounds of the Justice Building, LeBlanc was accompanied by supporters and given best wishes from bystanders. He was off to enjoy his first real meal since the meager offerings of jail.

Blogger Charles LeBlanc home Friday after 48 hours in jail on the charge of disturbing the peace. (Photo: Cheryl Norrad)

10 comments:

Good to see you out Charles!!!!! Keep on, keeping on! (do not let 'the man' restrict you from what you do and do NOT let these little bumps dissuaded you from being a valuable set of eyes and ears in the community!

"He used a bullhorn on the sidewalk in front of the station to loudly profess his frustration at being issued fines for minor by-law infractions when others breaking the same laws had not been."

1. A by-law infraction is a by-law infraction. Whether it's minor or major makes no difference.

2. I have been ticketed for speeding twice in 20 years. During that time, many other drivers have driven in excess of posted speed limits and have never been fined. It's not possible to fine everyone, and it's not a conspiracy.

Since when are the authorities allowed to deny someone in custody their medication? When we hear he's being denied medication, it's reasonably assumed it's mandatory prescription medication as advised and prescribed by a medical professional. The authorities not ensuring someone in custody has access to their meds smacks of willful neglect and possibly endangerment. I'm sure they know about it, don't they clear all incoming detainees through a medical staff member on intake?

@Fishergirl:Let's see some proof that Charles was denied his mess. Basing this belief on what Charles states is naive. Even in this, Charles is not a reliable or credible source. You have read his blog, right? Making things out of nothing is what he does.

I know Charles personally and we have talked about his medications repeatedly. He is claiming they would not allow him his inhaler when on several occasions he has told me that he does not need or use it. Charles manipulates his stories to put himself in the better light. Charles has a hate on for the police so now he screams for his inhaler which he said he does not need just to make the police look bad.

I did leave a comment on Charles blog stating these same facts. He of course did not post it for obvious reasons. He can't allow his readers to see the truth as it shows his lack of credibility.

I am very interested to see if you will post my comment as I know you socialize with him. Maybe you should confront Charles about this inhaler issue. He will know who I am and I have no problem facing him on what I have said in this post. He knows the truth but I strongly doubt he will admit he embellished his story.

It is our understanding Mr. Leblanc had need of his inhaler because he had difficulty breathing due to the air quality in the cell he was assigned to at the correctional facility. While he does not need or use it all the time, he does need it on such occasions when irritations affect his breathing.

Officials at the prison likely erred on the side of caution in delegating medication to Charles due to provincial policy, which we understand to state medical staff can only implement medical materials if a prescription has been issued. It seems a rather bizarre policy since most inmates don't carry around their prescription(s).

Just because we socialize with Mr. LeBlanc doesn't mean we don't call him on his statements or behaviour sometimes. And even if he did "embellish" his story as you accuse, there is still no excuse for a policy that denies him or other inmates access to medications they need.

Mr. LeBlanc said he planned to meet with Health Minister Madeline Dube to discuss the matter and we look forward to sharing with readers the outcome of that meeting. If it leads to better clarity on issuing medication to inmates in the future, that can only be a positive thing. It can't hurt anyway.